Course Overview

Purpose

The Basic Animal Health course provides an overview of the Animal Health Industry and aims to set a minimum standard for people active in the industry.

The SAAHA Skills Programme is aimed at building Animal Health Industry-related knowledge and skills of:

• The staff of SAAHA members
• Persons active in various services related to the Animal Health Industry
• Persons electing to build their own understanding of animal health-related matters

With the purpose to:

• Instruct new staff as well as existing staff on matters related to SAAHA and its activities.
• Increase knowledge about the industry in general and specific knowledge relating to animal health in relation to:
• Biology of animals
• Introductory Pharmacological concepts
• Common animal diseases and the management of these
• Disease-causing organisms
• Increase the skills level of operatives in the animal health sector
• Equip learners with knowledge and competencies which will make them more productive employees

The course will also give the newcomer to this environment essential information pertaining to the animal healthcare industry as well as basic knowledge in the field of diseases and the management of these diseases.

 

Who will benefit?

The following individuals will benefit from the course:

• Employees of companies that operate in the Animal Health Industry
• Farmers

 

Skills Programme Delivery Schedule

The skills programme can be taken at any time and must then be completed within 12 months of enrolment.

 

Estimated Study Duration

The estimated study time per Module is as follows:

 

Module	Topics	Estimated Study Time
Animal Biology	Taxonomy and Classification of Animals	2
	Applied Anatomy and Physiology	8
Total		10 hours
Pharmacology	Introduction to Pharmacology	3
	Pharmacological Concepts	3
Total		6 hours
Animal Diseases and Disease Management	Infectious Agents	3
	Animal Diseases	10
	Disease prevention and management	2
Total		15 hours
Disease Causing Insects and Parasites	Ticks	4
	Nematodes	4
	Lice	1
	Fleas	1
	Mites	1
	Cestodes (Tapeworm)	1
	Trematodes	1
	Flies	2
Total		15 hours
The SA Animal Health Environment	The South African Animal Health Association	4
	The Animal Health Industry Business Environment	2
	The Statutory Environment	4
Total		10 hours
Skills Programme Total		56 hours
At 5 Hours Per Week:		11 Weeks (3 Months)
Maximum Programme Duration Allowed:		12 Months

 

Learner Support

Initial submission of queries: All queries must initially be submitted to academy@saaha.co.za as the Programme Administrator. Mails will be channelled to the appropriate person.

Support by e-mail: Learners are welcome to forward any questions by e-mail to the Programme Administrator. These will be attended to at no cost.

Face to Face Support: Should a learner or a group of learners require additional support structured as a face-to-face session, the support can be considered and arranged by the SAAHA Programme Administrator. A pre-agreed-upon cost may be payable by the learner for such assistance.

Face-to-face support sessions include:

• Meetings
• Workshops
• Skype

Telephonic support: Support by telephone will be available depending on the availability of SAAHA-nominated student advisors. Phone calls must be made to the SAAHA Office, which will administer all calls.

The preferred communication channel is by e-mail or through face-to-face meetings.

 

Notes on Achievement

Learners MUST complete all 5 Modules and all assessments successfully before any certification is issued by SAAHA.

Assessments will be conducted at various stages and will include:

• End-of-Topic Structured Questions
• Online tasks and activities where applicable
• Final Integrated Summative Assessment at the end of the final module

All assessments will be completed online by the candidate.

Learners will need to achieve a minimum pass of 70% for all the assessments.

Once this skills programme is complete, you will find purpose and enjoyment in your chosen profession. You are encouraged to register for additional courses as supplied by SAAHA.